Effect of the administration of parenteral vitamins and minerals on the fertility of beef heifers artificially inseminated

Abstract

The effect of tbe administration of parenteral vitamins and minerals on the fertility of beef heifers was studied in 800 Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, and crossbreed 2-year old heifers under an estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (Al) protocol with prostaglandin. Tbey wbere divided into 4 groups: Control, Cuprhormone®, Selfos® y Cuprhormone®+Selfos®. First dose was given 14 days before breeding and a second a month later. This coincided with tbe end of the Al protocol and the beginning of the natural service. Breeding consisted in beat detection and Al during 8 days, then PG injection and heat detection and Al during 8 days, then natural mating for two months.Conception rates on Al were: Control: 56.2%, Cuprhormone® 63.5%, Selfos® 70.5% and Cuprhormone®+Selfos® 64.8%. Pregnancy rates afler Al were Control 50.3%, Cuprhormone@ 56.7%, Selfos® 66.7% (P<0.05), Cuprhormone®+Selfos® 57.4%. Final pregnancy rate (Al + bull mating) was Control 92.2%, Cuprhormone® 90.2%, Selfos® 96.1 % (P<0.05) and Cuprhormone®+Selfos®  90.5%. A possible negative interaction between both products was observed when tbey were given together. No differences were observed for cyc1icity, heat detection rate and fetal loses between groups.